Portable, self-contained, electrical pumping device



June 4, 1968 J. H. COX ETAL PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL PUMPINGDEVICE Original Filed June 14 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS' 40/55 40X 5479M 3 Elf/ 650? ATTOP/l/[K June 4, 1968 J. H. cox ETAL 3,386,522

PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL PUMPING DEVICE Original Filed June14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lib um i INVENTORS J JAMES A! (0 BY EDW/l/ BEZSZWEKQK United States Patent 3,386,622 PORTABLE, SELF-CONTAINED,ELECTRICAL PUMPING DEVICE James H. Cox, 5232 Ewing Ave. S., Minneapolis,Minn. 55410, and Edwin B. Eisenegger, Bronschhofen-St.-G, Bildwed 657,Switzerland Continuation of application Ser. No. 202,462, June 14, 1962.This application Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,478 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-46)This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 202,462, filed June 14,1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates broadly to a portable, self-contained pumpingunit or device wherein a pump piston is actuated at least in onedirection by solenoid action, and wherein all essential parts of theunit including solenoids, control and main circuitry and pumpingelements, are

compactly housed within a readily portable unit housing or frame. Thesimple relationship of pumping chamber, supply and discharge of fluidsuch as grease, air and hydraulic fluids is that it may be readily setup as a part of one of said systems and quickly connected for use.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a portable solenoidpowered unit of the class described wherein a pumping piston is directlyconnected to the armature of a high powered solenoid for actuation ofsaid piston for compressive effect in a pumping cylinder, and whereinthe armature is actuated in the opposite direction by spring means orthe equivalency, and wherein a supplemental control circuit with certainmechanical elements constituting an important part thereof, produces theadequate time interval or drag between energization of theelectromagnetic coil of the solenoid and spring return to assure thefull stroke and efficiency of the pumping piston.

A further object is the provision of a device or unit of the typedescribed, wherein all of the essential components and controls arecompactly and uniquely mounted within a single portable housing, withthe exception of course of electrical power, and whatever specificdischarging device is required for the grease or other fluid pumped bythe unit.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description made in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like characters indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of our invention,specially adapted for use in a gun-type greasing or lubricating system.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same with the covermem'ber removed; a

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the heavy powersolenoid and pump plunger, and showing the pumping chamber and fluiddischarge as well as fluid intake;

FIG. 4 is a circuitry diagram showing the electric circuit in closedoperating position; and

FIG. 5 is a similar diagram with the main as well as the controlcircuits being in open or inoperative position.

While the embodiment of our invention is combined with and constitutesthe actuation unit for a pressure lubricating or grease system, it willbe readily understood by those skilled in the art, that thesolenoid-operated pumping unit is readily applicable for connection witha source of hydraulic fluid or other fluids for pumping and compressingthe same, including compressor systems.

In the drawings, the numeral 6 indicates as an entirety, a compactportable mounting or housing having a removable cover member 7 securedas shown by a plurality of screws 8. A convenient L-shaped handle member9 is rigidly secured to the cover 7 for carrying the unit and as shown,is triangulated and faced by posts 9a. above the cover, to facilitate areel or storage member around which a power cable or electrical cord 10may be wrapped for transport or storage.

Referring to the plan view, FIG. 2, with cover 7 removed, the numeral 11designates as an entirety, a heavy power solenoid having a largeelectromagnetic coil 36, the armature 34 and a main operating switch 32of snap action type. The power solenoid 11 is in general conventional,having a heavy housing 29 which, as shown, has -a longitudinallyprojecting mounting arm 31 on which the electrical switch 32and itscomponents are supported and secured. The switch 32 has a projectingactuating arm 33, the operation of which will presently appear indetail.

Referring again to the armature 34 of solenoid 11, it will be noted thata heavy coil spring 37 encircles the outer portion of armature 34 and isinterposed under tension between the said housing 6 and an annularflange 35 which serves as the outer base of resistance for said spring.The spring 37 is adapted to return armature 34 to retracted or neturalposition when the magnetic coil 36 of the solenoid is deenergized. Itwill be understood that while a spring is shown for retracting thearmature, equivalencies such as weight action or even a counteractingsolenoid could be employed. The spring however is preferred.

Referring now to the control circuit and some of its essentialcomponents, numeral 12 designates a smaller commercially availablecontrol solenoid which actuates the current connection switch for themain circuit. The main circuit, including the connection of heavysolenoid 11 carries a much higher power and consequently, requiresheavier wiring and operating controls.

Continuing, the control circuit in addition to including the lightersolenoid 12, having an armature 26, includes a momentary contact switch24, together with suitable wiring connections between said elements andthe source of electric power which, in the embodiment shown, comprises astorage battery 25. The circuit also includes the snap action switch 32,previously described, and a position ho'lder switch 32, the purpose ofwhich presently will appear. As shown, the control solenoid 12 isrigidly secured within the housing 6 by means of a bracket 27 attachedthereto.

An elongated rigid yoke 38 extends longitudinally from the outer end ofthe armature 34, which encircles the projecting actuated arm 33 of thesnap action or micro switch 32. This yoke is so mounted and dimensionedthat in retraction or outward movement, arm 33 is shifted to close thepower circuit almost at the end of retractive movement of the armaturethrough action of the spring 37. Thereafter, unless the main and controlcircuits are opened and made inoperative by operation of a switch 24,later to be described, the coil 36 of the power solenoid is againenergized and the armature with its pump plunger 40 protracts. Obviouslythe intermittent energizing of power solenoid 11, with the action of thecoil spring 37, sets up a rapid, automatic synchronized reciprocatingmovement of said armature, which movement is transmitted to any pumpelement or adapter attached to the inner end portion of armature 34, andthence in turn to any adaption requirement for use of this reciprocatingpumping power.

The position-holder switch 32' retains the snap action main switch 32 infull closed or full open position until the yoke-like actuating means 38completes a full stroke in either direction.

In the embodiment and use of our self-contained pumping unit it is shownoperatively connected in a conventional pressure lubricating system.Numeral 13 shows a generally conventional lubricating unit. withlubricant reservoir 14 for storage of grease or other lubricant, whichdischarges through .a flexible pressure line 15 to which as shown, agun-type greaser 16 is connected,

having a conventional grease fitting 17 at its discharge. Thelubricating unit 13 has a hollow cylindrical member 18 affording ahousing for an elongated coil pressure spring 19 which has its base ofresistance in a filler cap (not shown) at the rear end portion ofcylinder 18. The relatively shallow piston 20 is acted upon by coilspring 19 to force a head of lubricant into the small and eccentricallylocated discharge port 21, for a purpose that will presently appear.

Discharge port 21 directs the flow of lubricant into communication withthe relatively small pump cylinder 22 constructed to cooperate with thepump piston 49 with substantial power to force a small amount oflubricant into the pressure line 15 and similarly to the gun-typegreaser 16 with each stroke of the armature. A springloaded ball-typecheck valve 23 is interposed in the discharge from the pump cylinder 22or may be mounted in the screw threaded, interconnected end of thepressure line 15. It will be understood that the pressure in the line 15is substantially zero when the armature of the solenoid is at rest inits retracted position shown in FIG. 3. The pressure is built up whenthe solenoid is alternatively energized and deenergized at shortintervals. A grease seal 41 is provided around piston 40.

Referring to the grease gun, an electric switch 24 of momentary contacttype, is incorporated in the gun with electrical connections betweensaid switch and the electric control circuit for the main powersolenoid. This switch 24 normally holds the electrical control circuitopen and when pressed in, will close the control circuit and thus causeenergization of the main circuit through the power solenoid 11 by meansof the small solenoid 12 with its armature 26. When the required amountof lubricant has been forced from the gun through the fitting 17, theoperator immediately releases the push switch 24 to open the electriccircuit to the control circuit, and consequently to leave open thecircuit through the power solenoid 11.

As previously stated electrical power to energize the subject inventionand act as a source for both main and control circuits, may be derivedfrom a storage battery such as a 12 watt battery shown in the drawingsand indicated by numeral 25, or the unit equipped with a suitablerectifier for converting alternate current to substantially theequivalency of direct current, may be mounted as a part of the compactelements in the unit and housed within the housing 6.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a highlyeflicient pumping system and unit adapted for various uses, andparticularly well adapted for a forced lubrication system or hydraulicsystem. The components of the device are uniquely and compactlydisposed, all within a portable mounting or housing readily connectiblein various systems.

Cooperating main armature circuits and low voltage control circuits areincluded in our apparatus and system combination to the end that a highpowered solenoid mechanism may be utilized successfully for powerfulpumping.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable pumping device for pumping fluids comprising,

a small compact portable housing having an access opening therein andhaving a closure member for closing said opening,

a reservoir structure mounted within said housing for storing a quantityof fluid therein,

a cylinder mounted in said housing and connected in communicatingrelation with said reservoir structure for receiving fluid therefrom,

reciprocable means shiftable in said cylinder for forcing fluidtherefrom comprising a solenoid including an electromagnet,

a magnetic armature defining a piston and extensible in the cylinderunder the influence of the electromagnetic field of said electromagnetthrough a forward stroke to force fluid from said cylinder,

spring means engaging said armature for retracting the same through areturn stroke when the electromagnet is de-energized,

a normally open power circuit connected to said electromagnet to controlthe electromagnetic field thereof and connected to a source ofelectrical current,

a normally open control circuit interposed in circuit controllingrelation with said power circuit and connected to said source ofelectric power and including a normally open primary switch which isenergized and closed when said manual switch is closed to energize saidpower circuit and the electromagnet,

a secondary switch means in said control circuit being opened and closedin response to movement of said armature and having a switch arm,whereby when said manual switch is closed, said control and powercircuits are operable to cause uninterrupted flow of intermittentelectrical current to said electromagnet to reciprocate the armature andpermit fluid to be continuously pumped from said cylinder, saidelectrical current continuing to flow through the power circuit whensaid control circuit is energized and said primary switch is in theclosed condition,

a position holder switch mechanism in said control circuit operable tohold said secondary switch means in one of said closed and openedpositions during movement of said armature until the armature hascompleted its return or forward stroke,

an actuating means comprising an annular yoke element on said armatureand movable therewith, said yoke element circumscribing the switch armof said secondary switch means and engaging the same to thereby causeopening and closing said secondary switch during movement of saidarmature.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,704,179 3/ 1929 De Forest222-333 2,461,501 2/1949 Miller 31034 X 2,686,281 8/1954 Shun 222-333 X2,694,508 11/1954 Petrenchak Z22-333 X ROBERT B. REEVES, PrimaryExaminer.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE PUMPING DEVICE FOR PUMPING FLUIDS COMPRISING, A SMALLCOMPACT PORTABLE HOUSING HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING THEREIN AND HAVING ACLOSURE MEMBER FOR CLOSING SAID OPENING, A RESERVOIR STRUCTURE MOUNTEDWITHIN SAID HOUSING FOR STORING A QUANTITY OF FLUID THEREIN, A CYLINDERMOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING AND CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATING RELATION WITHSAID RESERVOIR STRUCTURE FOR RECEIVING FLUID THEREFROM, RECIPROCABLEMEANS SHIFTABLE IN SAID CYLINDER FOR FORCING FLUID THEREFROM COMPRISINGA SOELNOID INCLUDING AN ELECTROMAGNET, A MAGNETIC ARMATURE DEFINING APISTON AND EXTENSIBLE IN THE CYLINDER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THEELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD OF SAID ELECTROMAGNET THROUGH A FORWARD STORKE TOFORCE FLUID FROM SAID CYLINDER, SPRING MEANS ENGAGING SAID ARMATURE FORRETRACTING THE SAME THROUGH A RETURN STROKE WHEN THE ELECTROMAGNET ISDE-ENERGIZED, A NORMALLY OPEN POWER CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAIDELECTROMAGNET TO CONTROL THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THEREOF AND CONNECTEDTO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT, A NORMALLY OPEN CONTROL CIRCUITINTERPOSED IN CIRCUIT CONTROLLING RELATION WITH SAID POWER CIRCUIT ANDCONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER AND INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPENPRIMARY SWITCH WHICH IS ENERGIZED AND CLOSED WHEN SAID MANUAL SWITCH ISCLOSED TO ENERGIZE SAID POWER CIRCUIT AND THE ELECTROMAGNET, A SECONDARYSWITCH MEANS IN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT BEING OPENED AND CLOSED IN RESPONSETO MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE AND HAVING A SWITCH ARM, WHEREBY WHEN SAIDMANUAL SWITCH IS CLOSED, SAID CONTROL AND POWER CIRCUITS ARE OPERABLE TOCAUSE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW OF INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO SAIDELECTROMAGNET TO RECIPROCATE THE ARMATURE AND PERMIT FLUID TO BECONTINUOUSLY PUMPED FROM SAID CYLINDER, SAID ELECTRICAL CURRENTCONTINUING TO FLOW THROUGH THE POWER CIRCUIT WHEN SAID CONTROL CIRCUITIS ENERGIZED AND SAID PRIMARY SWITCH IS IN THE CLOSED CONDITION, APOSITION HOLDER SWITCH MECHANISM IN SAID CONTROL CIRCUIT OPERABLE TOHOLD SAID SECONDARY SWITCH MEANS IN ONE OF SAID CLOSED AND OPENEDPOSITIONS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE UNTIL THE ARMATURE HASCOMPLETED ITS RETURN OR FORWARD STROKE, AN ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING ANANNULAR YOKE ELEMENT ON SAID ARMATURE AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID YOKEELEMENT CIRCUMSCRIBING THE SWITCH ARM OF SAID SECONDARY SWITCH MEANS ANDENGAGING THE SAME TO THEREBY CAUSE OPENING AND CLOSING SAID SECONDARYSWITCH DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE.